A man from Radstock has been given a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of biting a police officer whilst under the influence of drugs.

Mr Ellis Goddard of Lillington Road appeared in Bath Magistrates’ Court on February 14 where he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and refusing to do a breath test when asked by Avon and Somerset police on June 15 of last year.

He denied assaulting PC Sean Vine by biting him but was later found guilty by the magistrates.

The 35-year-old, who also goes by the names Mr Ellis Marley Goddard and Ms Ellis Martin Goddard, was handed a ten-week prison sentence which is suspended for 12 months.

Bath Magistrates' Court in North Parade Road

According to court documents seen by the Chronicle, a custodial sentence was handed to Goddard because the “offence [was] so serious.

“The defendant assaulted a police officer whilst on drugs by biting him, therefore using a weapon and risk of infection.”

Goddard was also given an eight-week curfew and must remain at his Writhlington property between 7pm and 7am, which is monitored by an electronic tag. He is also disqualified from driving for 18 months for refusing to offer a breath specimen.

The mesh hood can be placed over someones face if officers are at risk of being spat at or bitten.

The cloth hoods were introduced in January 2018 (Image: SWNS Group)

25 forces across the UK have already begun using the equipment and it will be rolled out across Avon and Somerset police after the officers have been trained.

The guard will also only be used if the officer if their body cam is switched on.

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